Ruffling attachment for sewing-machines



No Model.)

A. JOHNSTON,

Ruffli'ng Attachment for Sewing Machines.-

No. 241,989 Patented May 24, 1881.

N4 PETERS. Hlulo-Lithngnpher, Wuhin ton, D. C.

frf.

UNITED S AT-Es PATENT OFFICE.

ALLEN JOHNSTON, OF OTTUMVVA, IOWA.

RUFFLING ATTACHMENT FOR SEWING-MACHINES.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 241,989, dated May 24, 1881.

Application filed December 22, 1880. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, ALLEN JOHNSTON, of Ottumwa, Wapello county, Iowa, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Bufflin'g Attachments for Sewing-Machines, which improvement is fully set forth in the following specification.

This invention relates to ruffling or gathering attachments in which the gathering-blade acts against a surface above the end of said blade-the bottom of the presser-foot, for example-or an auxiliary plate to be placed under the presser-foot.

It consists in combining with the gathering blade 21. separator-plate, arranged below it and projecting beyond the end thereof, so that the end of the gathering-blade works between the bearing-surface and the separator and carries the gathers almost but not quite to the end of the separator, and in constructing or shaping the separator, combined as aforesaid with the gathering-blade, so as to make, near the end on its upper surface, a depression or recess to receive each gather or fold when formed or as it is forming,'and before it is sewed.

Herctofore in ruffling attachments having a separator below and projecting beyond the gathering-blade the separator has been adapted to form a support or bearing-surface for the outer end of the gathering-blade, and has consisted of a plain metal strip.

In the present invention the bearing-surface is above the gathering-blade and on the opposite side of said blade from the separator, and the latter, instead of having a smooth surface next the gathering-blade, is, as before stated, provided with a depression or recess to receive the fold.

In Letters Patent No. 148,957, granted to me March 24, 1874, a ruffler is described having, in combination with a gathering-blade which works upward against 'a bearing-surface, a plate called therein a guard-plate, arranged to project between the gathering=blade and cloth-plate of the machine. The said plate, however, does not project beyond the gather ing-blade, but on the contrary the parts are arranged-so that the fold is carried by the gathering blade beyond the end of the plate; and, moreover, the plate is not provided with a recess uponthe upper surface to receive the fold, as in the present invention. By extendin g the separator-plate the gather or fold while being sewed rests between it and the bearingsurface above, and this constitutes a desirable feature in this class of ruffling attachments.

The accompanying drawings, which constitute a part of this specification, represent ruffiing attachments embodying the invention, two equivalentforms of separator being shown.

Figures -1 and 2 are views in elevation of the attachments, and Figs. 3 and 4 perspective views of the separators detached.

A is the presser-foot, adapted to be secured, by a set-screw, to the presser-bar of a sewingmachine; B, the frame of the attachment fastened to the presserfoot, and (J the gatheringblade.

The means for supporting and operating the gathering-blade may be of any ordinary or suitable construction. As shown, the operation is effected from the needle-bar of the sewingmachine by means of an elbow-lever, D, and slide E, (to an arm of which the gatheringblade is fastened,) substantially as described in Letters Patent No. 135,123, granted to me on the 21st day of January, 187 3. The devices shown in W. T. J ohnstons Patent, No. 131,2u/

September 10, 1872, or in various other patents heretofore granted, could be used, if desired, it being immaterial for the purposes of this invention whether the gathering-blade is operated positively in both directions or in one direction by a spring; whether the motion is derived from the needle-bar or from some other suitable moving part of the sewing-machine, or whether the frame of the attachment is adapted to be attached to and carried by the presser-foot or by the presser bar, goose-neck, or bed-plate of the machine. It is essential,

however, that the gathering-blade should be made to act upward against a surface above. As shown, the end of the gathering=blade is bent upward for this purpose, and the bearing surface is formed by the bottom of the presserfoot.

F is the separator, consisting of a plate fastened at one end to the arm I) of the frame B and extending under the presser-foot, so that the end of the gathering-blade works between the two adjacent surfaces.

Near the end of the separator is a recess or depressiomf. As shown in Figs. land 4, this recess is formed by a small piece or strip, f, fastened to the top of the separator, and in Figs. 1 and 3 by a bend at f In operation, the cloth to be rufiied or gathered is passed between the gatheringblade and the presser-foot, and the fold or gather formed by the gathering-blade in its forward movement is laid in said recess or depression, which accommodates the increased thickness of the goods. The separator, by bearing against the under side of the presser-foot, assists also in the formation and retention of the folds or gathers, and to give increased effect thereto the lower surface of the prcsser-foot is cut away at a, as indicated.

Having now fully described the said invention, and the manner of carrying the same into effect, what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. The combination, with a gatheringblade and a bearing-surface located above said blade, so that the latter gathers upwardly against it, of a separator located below the gatheringblade and extending under said bearing-surface, beyond the gathering-blade, so that the latter works between the said bearing-surface and separator and carries the gathers or folds not quite to the end of the separator, substantially as described.

2. The combination of a gathering-blade, a bearing-surfitce above the said blade, and a separator having a recess or depression upon its upper surface, near the end, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I have signed this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

ALLEN JOHNSTON.

Witnesses:

A. G. HARROW, GEO. F. HALL. 

